Ibuki: I’m sorry! Please! Please let me do kendo again!
Serizawa: Kendo, huh? Is it because you want to become strong? Is it to get revenge for that time?
Ibuki: No. I want to try it again with these people.
Ibuki: If I do that, things like strength, winning, and losing… I have a feeling I’ll come to understand what those are.
Ibuki: Please! I want to do kendo again!
Serizawa: That’s the first time you’ve personally bowed and said something like that, wasn’t it?
That unexpected tone of voice made Ibuki look up.
Serizawa-san continued talking while looking away from him.
Serizawa: Kondo-kun. If you produce results, then it would be fine for you to open that dojo again.
Hijikata: Serizawa-san. The Shieikan’s teachings aren’t “results.” They aren’t about “winning” or “losing.” Didn’t Kondo-san say that just now?
Serizawa: I’m not saying winning or losing. Is it what Hakuo Academy needs?
Serizawa: Is it what this generation needs? Show me those results.
Kondo: Yes, of course!
Okita: Of course, I’ll show you.
Heisuke: Hold on, hold on! I said I’d show him!
Saito: I will also help.
Harada: And of course, I’ll be your back-up.
Ibuki: Guys…
With Kondo-sensei as the head, everyone raised their voices in turn.
Serizawa-san, seeing that before him, heaved a small sigh and faced Ibuki-kun again.
Serizawa: Ryunosuke, I’ll cancel your expulsion. Do as you like.
Ibuki: Ye…yeah. Thank you, Serizawa-san!
Looking as if he accepted Ibuki-kun’s words but could say nothing in return, Serizawa-san immediately turned his back on us and disappeared into the main building of the manor.
Heisuke: That’s great, Ryunosuke!
A delighted Heisuke came running over to Ibuki-kun.
Harada-sensei and Kondo-sensei who were all smiles also came over, as if pulled in.
A relieved Hijikata-sensei sighed, and Saito-senpai seemed somehow happy as he gazed at the circle everyone formed.
And then, as usual, Okita-senpai was smirking as he took a picture.
As for me, I was watching everyone in their delight.